The African continent remains by and large marginalized in the world economy, with over half of the population living under US$1 a day per person.  If the major Millennium Development Goal of reducing poverty by half by the year 2015 is to be achieved in Africa, a major policy shift is required, both at the national and international levels, to help boost growth and development in Africa.

UNCTAD, through its analysis of the issue of African development, attempts to increase understanding of the economic development problems of Africa and to promote action required at the national, regional and international levels for acceleration of African development, as well as African countries’ fuller participation in and positive integration into the world economy.

UNCTAD cooperates and liaises with regional and international organizations. It also participates in meetings and conferences of, and provides contributions to, the New Partnership for Africa´s development (NEPAD), in particular the cluster on agriculture, market access and diversification, and the annual Regional Consultations of the UN Agencies Working in Africa.